Psychopathia sexualis: With especial reference to contrary sexual instinct: A medico-legal studyKrafft-Ebing, R. von (Richard)
Science
Psychopathia sexualis: With especial reference to contrary sexual instinct: A medico-legal study
Krafft-Ebing, R. von (Richard)
Paraphilias
With respect of himself, the patient asserts that, when four years
old, he dreamed of handsome jockeys wearing shining boots. Too, he
never dreamed of women when he grew older. His nightly pollutions were
always induced by “boot-dreams.” From his fourth year he had a
peculiar partiality for men, or, more correctly, for lackeys wearing
shining boots. At first they only excited his interest, but, with
development of his sexual functions, the sight of them caused powerful
erections and lustful pleasure. It was only servants’ boots that
affected him; the same kind of boots on persons of like social station
were without effect on him. In a homo-sexual sense, there was no
sexual impulse connected with these situations. Even the thought of
such a possibility was disgusting to him. At times, however, he had
sensually-colored ideas,—like being his servant’s servant, and drawing
off his boots; but the idea of being stepped on by him, or of having
to blacken his boots, was most pleasing. The pride of the aristocrat
rose up against such thoughts. In general, these notions about boots
were disgusting and painful to him.
Sexual instinct was early and powerfully developed. It first found
expression in indulgence in sensual thoughts about boots, and, after
puberty, in dreams accompanied by pollutions; otherwise, the mental
and physical development was undisturbed. Patient was well endowed
mentally,—learned easily, finished his studies, and became an officer.
On account of his distinguished, manly appearance and his high
position, he was much sought in society.
He characterizes himself as a clever, quiet, strong-willed, but
superficial man. He asserts that he is a passionate hunter and rider,
and that he has never had any inclination for feminine pursuits. In
the society of ladies he has always been reserved; dancing always
tired him. He had never had any interest in a lady of high social
position. As for women, only the buxom peasant girls, such as are the
models of painters in Rome, had interested him. He had, however, never
felt any sexual interest in such representatives of the female sex. In
the theatre and circus only male performers had excited his interest;
but, at the same time, they had caused him no sensual feelings. As for
men, only their boots excited him, and, indeed, only when the wearers
belonged to the servant class and were handsome men. Men of his own
position, wearing never so fine boots, were absolutely indifferent to
him.
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